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Friday, November 7, 2014

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I made these for our Halloween party last weekend, but we all know pumpkin carries over to Novmeber / Thanksgiving. I'm definitely not sick of it yet! There's something about the smell of fresh baked good lingering though the house that makes me feel more like it's fall (since it's still 80 degrees here). I just really love an excuse to bake (and thankfully Hunter likes to eat).

I used some substitutes to make my cupcakes gluten free, I've listed both ways. (I adapted this recipe from Free People Blog)

Here is what you'll need:

3 cups all-purpose flour (or coconut flour for GF)

½ tsp baking soda

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp cinnamon (more if you reallllly like cinnamon like us)

¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

3 eggs

1 cup coconut sugar (for GF or use regular granulated)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup fat-free milk

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

2 tbsp honey

1 tbs pure maple syrup

½ cup oil

½ cup applesauce

Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare two pans with cupcake liners or cooking spray (makes about 24 cupcakes). In a large bowl mix dry ingredients; flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Using a mixer, beat the eggs, and gradually add the sugar until well combined. Mix in the pumpkin, followed by vanilla, milk, honey, maple syrup, canola oil, and applesauce. Once the mixture is smooth, mix in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Pour the batter into pans and bake for about 22-25 minutes until the cupcakes are cooked through (use the toothpick trick to check them!).

And now for the frosting!

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

4 tbsp butter, at room temperature

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon (again, more if you're cinnamon obsessed like me)

Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go. Pour in maple and continue mixing until fully combined. The frosting should be light and fluffy. Spread onto cupcakes and enjoy!